Rushcroft retained the U19 Coomer Cup Trophy as they defeated Barking Abbey on 9th May 2017 in a closely contested encounter.

The game was played at Thurrock FC and started well for Rushcroft as first half goals from Ola Ogunwamide and livewire Kye Mitchell gave them a two goal cushion at the interval.

Barking Abbey upped their game after the break and pulled a well taken individual goal back to set up an exciting finale to the match.

Both teams pushed hard for the all-important next goal but surprisingly none materialised as the final whistle blew with Rushcroft worthy 2-1 winners.

This was an entertaining game played in a good spirit befitting the competition. Barking Abbey proved resilient and very able opponents but Rushcroft deserved their win, courtesy of a dominant first half display capped off by two very well taken goals.

Congratulations to all the squad members and staff on a memorable achievement to round off a very good season.

USA and Professional Football Club Showcase

On Friday 16th December Rushcroft Football Development and Education Programme in partnership with ‘Starbridge’ held a showcase event which was attended by scouts from numerous professional clubs e.g. Colchester, Derby County, West Ham, Barnet, Reading etc. In addition there were USA university coaches from Salem, Willow Woods, and Rogers State etc.

This was an invitation only event; there were two matches. The players had experience of playing at numerous professional clubs such as Fulham, Derby, Norwich, Leyton Orient, Chelsea, PSG and even a player who has played for the French U19 team. The matches included seven present Rushcroft students and six ex-Rushcroft students.

The Rushcroft Football Development Programme players excelled on the day, leading to an amazing four players being offered scholarships to the USA for their football and education.

In addition one Rushcroft player will be potentially trialling at a professional club. Two ex-Rushcroft students were also offered scholarships.

Rushcroft students are in an incredibly privileged and unique position to be able to access these opportunities as ‘Starbridge Sports’ only accepts players from professional football clubs and student/players from Rushcroft Football and Education Programme.

We will be holding further showcase events for Rushcroft students later in the academic year.

Former Rushcroft students excel in USA university soccer programmesRushcroft Foundation School’s Football Academy is proud to announce that former students Jordan Watson (Roger State University) and Chuk Moses (Lourdes University) have both started their collegiate career in the USA in fine form.

The Roger State University’s Men’s soccer team added English starlet Jordan Watson to its top-ranked recruiting class for the Fall of 2016, while another of our former students from 2015, Chuk Moses, has also been recruited by Loudes University in the USA.

Congratulations from us all at Rushcroft and we look forward to watching your progress over the coming weeks. Click here for photos.

Colchester United Football Academy v Rushcroft, September 2016

Once again, Rushcroft were invited to play against Colchester United Football Academy. The fixture was played on a glorious sunny day at the very impressive Colchester United first team training ground.

We started the game a little nervously but after the first 15 minutes we started to move the ball around well, along with sticking to our game plan. However, by the end of the first half we found ourselves 2-0 down. After making a few tactical changes at half time, along with the players really starting to get into their rhythm, we found ourselves pulling back the score to a very well deserved 2-2 final scoreline.

We then went to the first team and dining facilities for refreshments. Once again we were made very welcome by Colchester United Football Club and on the back of the conduct and playing performance of our team we have been invited back later in the season. See team photo here.

Mr AshworthDirector of Football

Curtis Davies, Rushcroft Football Ambassador and Hull City Professional Footballer, visits Rushcroft

It was a pleasure to have a visit from Curtis Davies recently. Curtis is a Rushcroft Football Ambassador (and former Rushcroft student) and he came into school to take part in a question and answer session with the Football Academy players. The focus of the session was 'Lifestyle', how you prepare and recover for both training and matches. There was some really interesting discussion between Curtis Davies and the students about how to deal with the 'ups and downs' of match day performances and results. He said that he was impressed with the quality of the questions and the maturity and team spirit of the players. It was fascinating to listen to the advice he gave, along with comments regarding his experience as a professional footballer playing in the Premier League for WBA, Aston Villa and Hull City. It is no surprise to Mr Botham (Head of Sixth Form), who is Curtis' former Essex County Coach, or me that he is having such an impressive career, as he has always had the talent, self discipline and perseverance to succeed at the very highest level.

We are very much looking forward to his visiting again in the not too distant future. When he returns he will be coming to watch the players train and may well lead a coaching session.

Mr AshworthDirector of Football

Colchester United Football Club Academy v Rushcroft Autumn 2015

One of the benefits of working in partnership with Colchester United Football Club is that we play regular

Pre-match warm up

showcase matches against their academy teams. In the autumn of 2015, Rushcroft Football Academy was invited to play a match at the Colchester United Football Club first team training ground.

On the day we executed our team strategy with great effect and found ourselves 1 - 0 up at half time after a very competitive half. In the second half Colchester United Football Club Academy made some changes both to their team and tactics. The Rushcroft boys worked really hard in the second half, but the final score ended with Colchester winning 3 - 1. Our students were a real credit to themselves and the school.

After the match we were invited to have refreshments in the first team dining hall which was very enjoyable for students and staff. We have been invited back this season for a return match, which we are very much looking forward to. Our thanks to Colchester United for their kind hospitality and a great match.

On Tuesday 3rd November 2015, Rushcroft were invited to play Barnet Academy U18 at the ‘Hive’, Barnet’s first team training facility (pictured here). This is an impressive facility which is regularly used by international

The 'Hive'

teams for training purposes before they play England at Wembley.

The first half was evenly matched with Rushcroft having the most clear cut chances. We kept to our game plan really well and remained composed in possession, playing at our tempo.

In the second half Barnet changed their formation and tactics, which required us to get closer to their attacking midfielders. Rushcroft remained both disciplined and creative in the attacking third. We created at least four good chances in the second half and at one point we hit Barnet’s post and then watched the ball run along the goal line; goal line technology would have helped! The game finished with a 0 - 0 draw.

The Barnet coaching staff were very complimentary of Rushcroft’s game style and team spirit. They would like to play us again. The whole squad were once again a credit to themselves and the school. Well done. Keep raising the bar!

Mr Ashworth, Director of Football

Rushcroft Football Programme - invited guests of Colchester United Football Club

Rushcroft Academy Football Programme players were treated to a most enjoyable evening when they were given free tickets to watch Colchester United first team play a league match against Chesterfield. On arrival the players were allowed to go onto the pitch, have their photo taken and were announced to the crowd as Colchester United's newly linked Football Programme. Whilst waiting for the match to start, photos that had been taken of Colchester United first team players when they visited Rushcroft Football Academy were displayed on the big screen, much to the delight of our players.

Everyone had a great evening. It allowed the players to recognise what could be their potential. To cap it all, Colchester United won the match 2 - 1.

Our thanks to Colchester United for such a great evening.

Year 12 Football Academy students assist at the primary borough table tennis final and primary football league fixtures

The Year 12 Football Academy students have been very busy recently assisting at both the Primary Borough Table Tennis Final held here at Rushcroft and with the ongoing football fixtures for the Primary Football League taking place at GOALS, Chingford, on Mondays after school.

The boys have been an incredible help, we couldn't have run the competitions without them. The primary school pupils have really enjoyed getting to know them better, as well as it being a very rewarding and enjoyable experience for the Year 12s. Well done and keep up the good work.

Colchester United Football Club joins forces with Rushcroft Football and Education Programme

We are delighted to announce that Colchester United Football Club (CUFC) has become our new professional football club partner. Click here to read more.

Tom Lapslie (left ) and Jack Curtis (right)

We are also pleased to welcome Tom Lapslie and Jack Curtis, Colchester United footballers, as our new Football Ambassadors - (pictured here with Mr Ashcroft, Rushcroft Football Development Programme Director of Football) They came to watch the Rushcroft Football Academy students training.

Femi Coker ex-Rushcroft student joins USA football team UB Knights

Rushcroft Football Academy is proud to announce that former student Femi Coker, who left us in July 2014, has gained an academic and sporting scholarship to the University of Bridgeport, USA. Read more here.